With the continuing growth of the better beer industry locally and nationwide, one can make a case that every week is American Craft Beer Week. But the official, ninth annual celebration of small and independent brewers will take place from May 12-18. There will be events statewide. Some highlights: a Gray Sail cask tapping at Julian’s (5.13); the Mother of All Barrel-Aged Tap Takeovers at Norey’s (including Founders’ KBS, Goose Island’s 2012 BCBS; 5.14-18); Founders tap takeovers at the Scurvy Dog, the Avery, and Julian’s on the 15th; and a face off between Founders’ KBS and Revival’s Imperial Stout at the Wild Colonial (5.16). There are also meet-the-brewer events (Sean Larkin will be at the Scurvy Dog on the 11th and the Malted Barley on the 14th). Check craftbeer.com/news-and-events/calendar?cat=530 for more, and expect big beer fun wherever better brew is sold all week long.

And speaking of local growth, welcome the third new beer maker in Pawtucket — Brewery 401. Jason Lourenco and brewmaster Nicole Pelletier have moved into the former Bucket Brewery space at Lorraine Mills on Mineral Spring Ave (they also bought equipment from the Bucket crew) and hope to have growlers on sale in a month or so. Follow their progress at facebook.com/brewery401.